The meditation chamber in Xochipilli's servants' residence. The air was filled with the smell of copal and marigolds that burnt in an incense burner. The smoke curled through the room like a slithering snake. The only sound breaking the sacred silence was the crackle of the fire burning in the censer. On the painted wall hung an obsidian mirror, as smooth as a lake when no wind is blowing.
Cuathli was sitting in front of it.
Fully concentrated, he was gazing into the obsidian plate. He saw his reflection. Focused, he looked at himself. Every obsidian mirror was associated with Tezcatlipoca, the god of trials and fate. UWhen used properly, it could unveil fate's mysteries and reveal the truth.
That was exactly what Cuathli needed. The truth about Tlacotzin's fate was hidden from him, or he was unknowingly hiding it from himself.
It was time to look deeper into his own heart.
"Who is Tlacotzin to me?"
That was the first question he had to answer. He had to find the answer; without it, he wouldn't be able to move on and will only walk in the fog.
He thought hard and tried to look as deeply as possible into his heart.
He found him on the temple steps, and when he learnt of the obstacles the young man had encountered in his life, he felt sorry for him with all his heart. He saw how tirelessly he worked, listened to his music and the little pieces of advice he gave to the girls. He felt proud when he heard that. His heart was filled with warmth when he saw that the young man had found a place in their hearts.
How many people had he already led to Xochipilli? How many lives had he ended in the name of maintaining the balance of the universe and the wellbeing of the community? More than he wanted to count.
He had trouble remembering many of the sacrificed people. He remembered their fear, their faith, their suffering, and the beauty they had created. Yet, he wasn't attached to any of them, nor did he feel anything for them. Tlacotzin was different; he was like his own son.
At this moment, the man froze.
That was the answer.
Tlacotzin was like his own son to him.
The truth washed over him like rain, washing away any doubt as to how he felt about the young man.
If only this were the end of it…
However, there were still omens that pointed at Tlacotzin.
His vision involved music and a pulque on the temple steps. EEven if it had seemed like a coincidence, it wasn't one. Xochipilli pointed at Tlacotzin. The young man, under the influence of a drink that allows one to get closer to the gods, entered the symbolic border between the mortal and gods' realm while not realising this.
His past was filled with suffering. Suffering cleanses and helps to throw off earthly obligations.
His music. Cuathli remembered the moment he first heard it. He had never heard such beautiful music before. Even temple musicians couldn't ever come close to the boy's level. It was as if Xochipilli himself had filled his music with his divine energy.
An amulet inherited from his parents. An artefact strongly connected with family love and Xochipilli. It had a great spiritual power. The vision that Tlacotzin experienced was the proof of this. That's right, the vision. The young man didn't say what it was about, but the man saw horror on his face.
Cuathli sighed. The smell of the holy incense filled his nostrils.
It was obvious that Tlacotzin was strongly connected with Xochipilli. The young flautist, although even if he couldn't admit it to himself, perfectly understood Xochipilli's domain, and his advice to the girls about small joys proved it.
His fate is undeniably tied to Xochipilli, and Xochi Huetzi was going to be the most important event in his journey. This festival celebrated beauty, love, flowers, art and music. Tlacotzin was the personification of all these qualities.
It was obvious that Tlacotzin was destined to serve Xochipilli. But how?
Was he going to become his priest and guide his followers?
Was he going to die on his altar and go to his divine land?
There were only two paths he could take.
The first path was the one Cuathli wanted. However, he had to admit that Tlacotzin's heart would be a great source of power for Xochipilli. Moreover, the Smoking Mirror's servant said…
Which of these roads was the best?
If only he had received more hints…
Something that would leave him without any doubt…